Zeher

Article Updated 26 March, 2005 03:09:02 AM IST

Zeher

With 'Zeher', the Bhatts have proved that 'Raaz' and 'Murder' were flash in the pan success stories. If Vishesh films consider themselves to be a film factory, then they had better reconcile to the fact that they are not. Don't know if it's the lack of Mallika Sherawat, but this extra-marital affair cum thriller does not sizzle. It's not even lukewarm, it is frozen!

The makers would like to refer to it as new age cinema but some might like to call it as mere stupidity and another attempt to take the viewers for a ride. Sorry, its about time they realized that the viewers aren't gullible any more. This film marks the directorial debut of Mohit Suri, (now whoever that is!).

The story of 'Zeher' is daringly different but slips sometime halfway through the film. So for those who are merely looking at this one too as a skin and sex show flick, they would be highly disappointed.

Yet another film set in Goa. The chief of the local police station, Siddharth Mehra (a far too young looking and unconvincing Emraan Hashmi) is on the verge of a divorce with his wife Sonia (Shamita Shetty), whom he still loves. Like most men, he soon finds himself involved with a married woman, Anna Verghese (Udita Goswami). He also happens to know Anna's husband, Sean (Sameer Kochhar).

Things get complicated when Siddharth learns that Anna's husband is a wife beater. Besides she's pregnant with Siddharth's child and is also suffering from cancer. Isn't all this too much for one woman? Siddharth does not have it in him to abandon Anna with whom he has had sex with only a few times.

So he decides to go full throttle and help her. He decides to give Anna the money he had recovered in a drug raid, for her medication. But Anna and her husband die in a bomb blast in their house the same night that Siddharth and Anna have decided to elope. We are not shocked as we had expected something to go wrong at this stage! Siddharth had to be really dumb to think otherwise.

A shaken Siddharth is even more disturbed to learn that his estranged wife Sonia is in charge of the case. So tighten your seat belts and get ready for some thrill. Wish this were true! The film is predictable and leaves nothing to your imagination.

But to give credit to the film, the first half is slightly gripping however the pace slackens later and becomes very lack lustre. The climax is unimpressive and predictable. Of the songs, 'Agar Tum Mil Jao Zamana Chhod Dennge Hum' is the best.

Now for the performances. Emran Hashmi is okay, he is his usual self and has nothing new to offer. Shamita Shetty is disappointing. The only good things about her are her hair colour and clothes.

Udita Goswami is quite impressive despite limited footage. She looks every bit the seductress courtesy her chinky eyes and hot body. But she has added on oodles of weight and needs to shed it all. Sameer Kochhar too makes an impact in a small role.

Emran and Anna share a good screen chemistry. Their love making scenes are hot. Unfortunately Emran's intimate scenes with Sonia leave you cold. No wonder the couple is on the verge of a divorce. So yet another boring and not-recommended variety film this week, but hey, don't take our word for it, catch it and be a critic yourself!

** (TWO STARS)
*poor; **average; ***good; ****very good; *****excellent

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